The School of Art and School of Art Gallery are pleased to present thesis exhibitions by Master of Fine Art students: Ryan Amadore, Andrew Harwood, and Lindsay Joy. Ryan Amadore’s Open Studio: A Phase in Six Years of my Art Education is a true-to-scale reproduction of his graduate studio space, populated by a meticulously constructed life-size, wax self-portrait. Evoking Romantic imagery of the artist in the studio, the uncanniness of the wax figure creates an experience of the type that Mike Kelley has described as “banal [and] emptied of magic.” The figure’s eyes are closed and his gesture is as vulnerable as it is defensive. Almost teetering, but balanced within the space, the work poetically falls apart upon close inspection and reveals a narrative that’s open to interpretation. Funeral Camp is an exploration of grief and humour through the media of video, performance and installation. This exhibition examines the relationships between death, humour, play and camp in relation to aspects of queer spirituality and to queer communities. The themes explored in this body of work include death, nature, culture, witchcraft, play, drag, sadness and glamour. Funeral Camp and the questions Andrew Harwood poses are, in part, a gay man’s perspective on surviving the AIDS epidemic. He wonders if it is possible to express humour and grief simultaneously in a body of work. Can works of art be at once camp and deeply emotional? Andrew Harwood gratefully acknowledges the generous support of the Manitoba Arts Council Student Bursary Program and the Marvin and Irma Penn Scholarship. “I’ll Cry If I Want To,” says Lindsay Joy, “is a farewell to my own girlhood. Being stuck in the past makes me feel like I’m still not an adult, and I am always sure my imposter-hood will be caught. I confront imaginary bullies – the feeling surrounding things people have said to me over the years – things I am sure have been long forgotten by everyone but me. I create a playful, safe and comforting space through the accumulation of nostalgic and kitschy objects, repetitive stitching, narrative, writing and girly aesthetics.” In addition to her individual practice, Lindsay Joy comprises half of the collective Girl Gang Dance Party with artist melinda topilko. The collective recently transformed the girls’ washroom of a Calgary high school for Phantom Wing: A Pre-Demolition Project at King Edward School. Joy has an undergraduate degree in Fibre with distinction from the Alberta College of Art and Design. In July, she will participate in Plug-In ICA's Summer Institute residency. Exhibitions Performances by Andrew Harwood Closing reception Andrew Harwood Lindsay Joy
2014 MFA Thesis Exhibitions
Ryan Amadore, Andrew Harwood, Lindsay Joy
Ryan Amadore: Open Studio: A Phase in Six Years of my Art Education
Andrew Harwood: Funeral Camp
Lindsay Joy: I’ll Cry If I Want To
June 5 - 13, 2014
Preview – June 5, 5:00 pm
June 13, 6:30 pm
June 13, 6:00 – 8:00 pm
Oral Examinations
Ryan Amadore
June 5, 1:00 pm
June 7, 1:00 p.m
June 17, 1:00 pm